Dining Etiquette

If a Finn invites you to their home, be on time. Finns are reliable in both professional and social settings. Before entering the house, take off your outdoor shoes. To find out if the hostess prefers that you bring a dish, get in touch with her in advance. Offer to assist the hostess with the meal's preparation or cleanup afterward.

There could be up to 7 different desserts to try if you're asked for coffee and cake. Don't talk about business. Before bidding the other guests farewell, express gratitude to the hosts for their hospitality.

Await instructions on where to sit. Continental table manners dictate that the fork should be held in the left hand when eating and the knife in the right.

When eating, keep your hands out in plain sight. Keep your wrists perched on the table's edge. Wait until the hostess encourages you to start eating before you start. The only meals eaten with the hands are bread and prawns. Utensils are used to eat fruit as well. Accept more servings. Place salt and pepper shakers on the table so that they are easily accessible while passing. Do not provide them immediately.

At meals, men should wear their jackets unless the host takes off his. Complete the food in your plate. Waste is not valued by Finns. When you're done eating, lay your knife and fork across your plate with their handles pointing to the right and their prongs downward.